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Tech titan who backed Trump brutally skewered after elections U-turn: ‘Pandering POS’
Palantir chief executive Alex Karp says he could support a Democratic presidential candidate in 2028, after saying Democrats had corrected course in the 2026 midterms. His comments have drawn criticism from people who see the shift as opportunistic, given his previous alignment with Donald Trump and his company’s government work.
Karp described himself as a lifelong Democrat and argued that Democrats have an advantage on economic justice, while rejecting the Democratic Socialists of America. Palantir has held contracts with the Trump administration, including work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the now-closed Department of Government Efficiency. Karp, whose wealth is estimated at $18 billion, also said Trump had made mistakes in his second term, including on immigration policy.
In short
- Alex Karp says he may back a Democrat for president in 2028.
- His comments follow Palantir’s work for the Trump administration.
- Critics accuse him of shifting his stance for political or business reasons.
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The case for
Karp’s comments could reflect a genuine reassessment: he describes himself as a lifelong Democrat, says the party has improved and sees it as stronger on economic justice, while also criticising Trump’s immigration policy. A willingness to consider a Democratic candidate may therefore be a reasoned response to changing policies rather than proof that his earlier views were insincere.
The case against
Critics may reasonably see the shift as opportunistic, given Karp’s previous alignment with Trump and Palantir’s government contracts, including work for ICE and DOGE. With his company benefiting from federal business, his political repositioning can invite scrutiny about whether it reflects principle or a response to changing political incentives.
Explained simply
Alex Karp is the chief executive of Palantir, a US technology company that sells data analysis software to governments and businesses. He has described himself as a lifelong Democrat, while also having expressed support for Donald Trump.
Palantir has worked with US government agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which enforces immigration laws. Karp’s political views and the company’s public contracts have drawn attention because government technology work can affect areas such as immigration and public administration.
The Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America are separate groups: the latter is a political organisation that supports a more socialist approach to economic policy. Karp has said Democrats have an advantage on economic justice, while rejecting the socialist group’s politics.